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Top Assertiveness Technique

In my own journey into assertiveness there is one technique I learnt, called ‘The Broken Record Technique,’ maybe you have heard of it?

The Broken Record Technique is aptly named and it is a technique to use when someone is trying to push their beliefs, views or requests on you.

In this situation it is easy enough to get caught up and lost in your train of thought and what you end up discussing is nothing to do with the original issue, which is in fact you disagree with their statement or do not want to do what they are asking of you int he first place!

So What Is This Technique I Hear You Cry….

So it is called the broken record technique because when you use it you sound very much like a record stuck on a loop. This is how to use it, very simple and involved two steps:

Formulate your self a simple statement, for example:

“I understand that this is important to you right now, but I do not believe/want to do/accept that.”

2. Repeat your statement in reaction to what they say, for example:

Other person:

“But you always do/But I need you to do that/It’s unfair that you won’t,” or any other variation of.

You:

“I understand that you have this need/belief right now, but I, do not believe/accept/want to/can’t do that for you.”

Other Person:

” You are out of order for saying no.”

You:

“I understand that you have this need/belief right now, but I, do not believe/accept/want to/can’t do that for you.”

Other Person:

“What am I supposed to do?”

You:

“I understand that you have this need/belief right now, but I, do not believe/accept/want to/can’t do that for you.”

And so on and so forth, you get the idea.

When you do not budge from your simple and clear statement, there is no where for the conversation to go. If the other person keeps coming back with an attack or it escalates, you can simple say:

“I am going to leave now and I hope you find a solution” and do just that.

This may seem hard at first but it is the only way to make sure that your needs are being met.

I wish you well in your assertiveness journey and if you want to read more about the power of NO then read an article on this HERE